an island in the gulf of Mexico, separated from New Andalusia, in Terra Firma, by a strait, about three miles over. The soil is fruitful, producing sugar, cotton, Indian corn, fine tobacco, and fruits; but the air is unhealthy. It was taken by Sir Walter Raleigh in 1595, and by the French in 1676, who plundered the island and then left it. It is about 62 miles in length, and 45 in breadth; and was discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1498. There is a bituminous lake in this island; for an account of which, see the article PETROLEUM, p. 252, note B.